D205 superintendent search down to two finalists, with no recommendation Monday. Here’s what is next

District 205’s superintendent search is down to two finalists, and the board won’t bring a recommendation to its Monday, Oct. 5 meeting, according to Board President Courtney Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said at the board’s Sept. 14 meeting that the search had been narrowed to three finalists from 15 applicants. In emailed answers to WGIL on Thursday, she said one finalist withdrew the night before the second-round interviews, so the board interviewed two candidates Sept. 22. The board has not publicly identified the finalists.

District 205 superintendent search: what to know

One of the three finalists withdrew the night before second-round interviews Sept. 22.
The board hopes to bring a recommendation to its November meeting.
The board met Sept. 26 and plans to meet again before its regular October meeting.
Teachers, staff and building administrators have had no role in evaluating the finalists.
The board may consider reopening the search if it feels that is necessary after completing its evaluation.
The new superintendent is expected to start July 1, 2027.

Rodriguez said the board hopes to bring a recommendation to its November meeting.

The board met Saturday, Sept. 26, for discussion, Rodriguez said, and plans to meet again before its regular October meeting.

To Rodriguez’s knowledge, there is no risk of losing a finalist to another district while the board takes more time. She said the board has been transparent with the candidates after each interview about what to expect next.

Asked whether the board could reopen the search, Rodriguez said it is focused on completing its evaluation of the candidates now in the process. If the board feels it is necessary after completing that process, she said, it may consider reopening the search.

Teachers, staff and building administrators have had no role in evaluating the finalists, she said.

Survey and staffing

Rodriguez said the board’s community survey was used to help shape its first-round interview questions. She said staffing and retention were addressed in those interviews, and the board was looking for candidates who understood the issue and how they would approach it.

What happens next

Rodriguez said the board hopes for a significant transition period between the announcement and July 1, 2027, when the new superintendent is expected to start. Superintendent John Asplund’s retirement takes effect June 30, 2027.

The board’s next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at district headquarters, 940 W. Fremont St. View the agenda.

More from Rodriguez

WGIL emailed questions to Rodriguez. The questions refer to three finalists, the number Rodriguez described Sept. 14. Her answers on the survey, the leadership profile and the transition are published below as written.

The community survey drew 317 responses, and transparent and ethical leadership was the top characteristic respondents wanted, at 17%. How has the board weighed that in evaluating these three finalists?

The community survey was an important part of developing our interview process. The feedback we received was used to help shape our first-round interview questions. As we evaluated candidates, the board considered their responses to those questions along with their experience, qualifications, leadership approach and overall fit for our district. The survey helped ensure that the qualities our community identified as important were incorporated into the process from the beginning.

Staffing and retention ranked first both as the district’s top challenge and as the most immediate concern for the next superintendent. Did the finalists address that directly, and what did you hear from them?

Staffing and retention were addressed during the first-round interviews. The board listened to their responses, their experience and ideas in this area. Staffing and retention are complex issues, so we were looking not just for someone who acknowledged the challenge, but for someone who demonstrated an understanding of the issue and how they would approach it.

In May, you told us the survey data would be used to build a leadership profile and guide the screening and interview process. Looking back, how much did that profile shape which three candidates advanced?

The leadership profile helped shape the process, but it was just one part of the board’s overall evaluation. As we narrowed the applicant pool, the board evaluated candidates against the leadership qualities and areas of expertise we identified as important. Ultimately, the three finalists advanced because the board felt their experience, leadership qualities and responses demonstrated alignment with the needs and vision of our district.

The new superintendent doesn’t start until July 1, 2027. What happens between the announcement and that start date?

The board hopes for a significant transition period between the announcement and July 1, 2027. We want to use that time intentionally to ensure a smooth transition and set the next superintendent up for success. We want an opportunity for the incoming superintendent to learn about the district, its operations, staff and priorities while working alongside our existing leadership.